Apple looks to end iOS kernel encryption


TechCrunch:

When Apple released a preview version of iOS 10 at its annual developers conference last week, the company slipped in a surprise for security researchers -- it left the core of its operating system, the kernel, unencrypted.

"The kernel cache doesn't contain any user info, and by unencrypting it we're able to optimize the operating system's performance without compromising security," an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Another intentional or unintentional consequence is an unencrypted kernel will make it easier to find security vulnerabilities. This should make it easier to discover weaknesses that can be exploited. The good news is more eyeballs from security researchers should help harden iOS, but also may result in more exploits available for unauthorized access, even if temporarily.